The Great Gatsby

¶ … Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a work that is timeless in its relevance because it questions whether the endless pursuit of wealth can ever really result in happiness and peace. In doing so, the novel is as pertinent to society today as it was when it was first written. In fact, even though the novel is situated in the 1920s, the characters, emotions, and situations are so true to life that the novel acts as a mirror for its readers to look into and reflect on the images that they see. Thus, Fitzgerald leads his readers into re-examining the very nature of humanity's search for Eden, which is usually motivated by a desire to seek material and emotional happiness. The belief that material and emotional happiness are correlated has led to humanity searching for an external Eden whereas, as Fitzgerald reveals in The Great Gatsby, this quest is nothing but a fallacy. Fitzgerald demonstrates the fallacious nature of the belief that the possession of wealth and social standing leads to emotional happiness by highlighting the corrupting influence of money on all economic and social classes, sparing none, in achieving the intended purpose of his work.

Fitzgerald's intent leads to the assembling of a host of characters drawn from virtually all segments of society, which allows for a perfect unity of effect in establishing the fact that human society is governed by a social structure and culture that measures a person's worth largely by his or her material possessions. Such a culture leads to very few individuals escaping from the tangle of lies and deceit that seem to inevitably accompany the web that the world of money spins. Strangely, this includes people who are born with all the advantages of inherited wealth. For instance, both Nick Carraway and Tom Buchanan do not lack for money. Yet, they differ in that the former holds steadfast to his values while the latter abuses the power of his position. This is apparent in Nick's "staggered" reaction when he learns that Wolfsheim had fixed the World Series: "...one man could...play with the faith of fifty million people." (Fitzgerald, p. 78) In direct contrast, Tom Buchanan is seen as brutal and totally devoid of any morals, confident that the power of his money will protect him from the consequences of his actions.

Tom Buchanan's world view is also reflected in Daisy Buchanan who has arguably gained wealth and social standing via legal means. Gatsby's "golden girl," (Fitzgerald, p. 127) in fact, displays her dubious morals even before she procures the prestige of being Buchanan's wife. After all, she gives up her love for Gatsby for the mere price of a pearl necklace. Both the Buchanans are portrayed as utterly self absorbed and shallow people: "They were careless people...." (Fitzgerald, 187) Yet, Daisy has the nerve to judge Gatsby's party as vulgar and offensive. Indeed, the Buchanans are the caricature of social snobs who constantly look down on the have-nots and even the nouveau riche. All these facts put together leads Nick to finally tell Gatsby "They're a rotten crowd...you're worth the whole damn bunch put together." (Fitzgerald, p. 162) Fitzgerald, thus, highlights effectively the irony behind the fact that it is the Buchanans of the world who are held up to the rest of society as people worthy of respect and standing. Unfortunately, neither Gatsby nor Myrtle realize this and ultimately both become victims of the world they aspire to in the mistaken belief that gaining entry will lead to respectability and happiness.

Both the Wilsons and Gatsby represent people who lack wealth, and typically, both aspire to the stereotypical dream of acquiring riches, respect, and happiness. George Wilson, for instance, is too poor to own a car and yet he wants to purchase the Buchanans blue coupe (Fitzgerald, p. 130). He does this because the automobile is seen as a symbol of status and achievement. His wife, Myrtle, is even worse as evidenced by her constant refrain, "I want." Indeed, Myrtle wants anything and everything ranging from personal toiletries and a dog to a mechanical ashtray (Fitzgerald, p. 31-32, 41). By artfully developing the character of the Wilsons, Fitzgerald succeeds in establishing that it is not their lack of wealth that invites scorn and pity, but rather their misguided pursuit of it. Fitzgerald's master touch, however, lies in his main character - Jay Gatsby. The only one, besides Nick, to truly gain the liking and empathy of the reader, Gatsby ironically is the one person who has acquired his wealth illegally. Indeed, it is in society's treatment of Gatsby that its hypocrisy is really revealed. Secretly reviled for his reputed criminal activities, Gatsby is nevertheless entertained for the wealth he possesses.