The Great Gatsby
Uploaded by Admin on Oct 05, 1999
F. Scott Fitzgerald comments on the lighthearted vivacity and the moral
deterioration of the period. It possesses countless references to the
contemporary period. The aimlessness and shallowness of the guests, the
crazy extravagance of Gatsby's parties, and the indication of Gatsby's
connection in the bootlegging business all represent the period and the
American setting. But as a piece of social critique, The Great Gatsby also
describes the defeat of the American dream, and that the American ideals differ with the actual social conditions that exist in society. For the American constitutions stands for the freedom, and equality among people, but the truth of the matter is that social discrimination still exists and the grouping among the classes can never be overcome.
Myrtle's attempt to become a "member" of Tom's group is predestined to
fail, because he is of the wealthier, more "sophisticated" class. Taking
advantage of her animation, her lively nature, she tries to elude the rest of her class. She gets involved in an affair with Tom, and inherits his values, and his way of living. By doing so, she only demoralizes herself, and becomes corrupt like the rich are stereotyped to be. She belittles people from her own class, and loses all sense of honor that she once had. And for all her social desires, Myrtle never does find her place in Tom's "high brow" world of the rich.
Fitzgerald portrays Myrtle's condition, obviously, as a minor reflection to
Gatsby's more substantial struggle. While Myrtle's ambitions come from her
social desires, Gatsby's are linked more to his idealism, his strong belief in life's opportunity. For sure, his desire is influenced by social considerations as well; Daisy, who is beautiful and rich, shows a lifestyle which is distant to Gatsby's
and therefore is more attractive to him, because it is so far out of his reach.
However, social status is not his premier reason for loving Daisy. It only leads him, and makes him subject to believe in life's great opportunity. Like Myrtle does, Gatsby fights to fit himself into another social group, the one of old money, but his attempt is more significant, because his whole faith in life is
rested upon it. Therefore, his failure is much more frightful to him, as any
larger dream's failure turns out to be. His whole objective, his confidence in life and himself is completely smashed when he fails to win Daisy's love. His death, when it arrives is nearly meaningless, for, with the...