Finished Essay:
In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the theme of corruption of the American dream is influenced by the social historical context of the 1920’s. In the book, the American dream is sought out by many characters. Some try to obtain wealth and others try to obtain pleasure. The parties that Gatsby throws are prime examples of the social life during the 1920’s. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920’s as a decade of corroded social values emphasizing on materialism and empty pursuits of happiness.
Wilson’s wife, Myrtle, seeks pleasure and material items. Her secret affair with Tom, a wealthy man, shows her desire for material items and pleasure. There is no real love between them; it is just an empty pursuit of happiness. As Tom, Myrtle, and Nick go to New York, Myrtle’s materialistic urges are shown. “’I want to get one of those dogs,’ she said earnestly. ‘I want to get one for the apartment. They’re nice to have—a dog.’” (Fitzgerald 27). Myrtle’s earnest feeling towards obtaining a dog shows that she puts forth sincere effort to obtain material items. In this case, part of her American dream is fulfilled. She now has material items through Tom. Socially, she is praised for having material items. “’I like your dress,’ remarked Mrs. McKee, ‘I think it’s adorable.’” (Fitzgerald 31). Myrtle’s desire for material items is influenced by the social praise she obtains. Since she has a nice dress and a dog, she is instantly more popular. If she did not have these items, she would be like her husband, Wilson. Wilson does not have the same urges like Myrtle, and he is rarely socially active because of that. The corruption of Myrtle’s American dream provides short success in her life, but it is an empty pursuit of happiness that circles around materialism and pleasure.
Gatsby’s long lost love, Daisy, serves as a source of corruption for his American dream. Gatsby’s American dream is to be happy. He thinks that having everything in his life, a lover, money, and status will make him happy. To stay socially active, and high in social status, Gatsby throws numerous extravagant parties, owns a giant mansion, and makes sure that he has the right clothes. He hopes that his love, Daisy, will fall for his lifestyle and possessions. When Nick arranges Daisy to meet with Gatsby, he tries to show his lifestyle off to her. “’That huge place there?’ she cried pointing. ‘Do you like it?’ ‘I love it, …“ (Fitzgerald 90). Gatsby is trying to show Daisy that he has everything she could ever want. His American dream is corrupted by the social properties that he has observed over time. He expects Daisy to fall for him just because he is wealthy and has a high social status. This shows that Gatsby thinks you can buy abstract necessities such as love. The joy and happiness of the party attendees was bought by money, so why can’t Daisy’s? While Gatsby is taking Daisy around his mansion, Gatsby shows his clothes to Daisy in hopes that she will be lured in by their exoticness. Gatsby gets his clothes from all over the world. “’They’re such beautiful shirts,’ she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. ‘It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such—such beautiful shirts before.’” (Fitzgerald 92). This summarizes Daisy’s character. She is bought in by materialism, a characteristic of the society during the 1920’s. Gatsby’s action was influenced by the social behavior of his part attendees, a prime example of society. Now that he has coveted Daisy, all he has to do is be happy. This cannot be accomplished because Gatsby’s empty pursuit of happiness is his American dream.
The theme of corruption of the American dream is influenced by the social historical context of the 1920’s. The American dream is infested with ideas of materialism, and empty pursuits of happiness. The society of the 1920’s influences these dreams by providing a base of thought. Gatsby, among others, bases his American dream off of society. Fitzgerald provides us with a striking connection between the society and American dreams, thus influencing the work as a whole.
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