The Theme of Moral Corruption in The Great Gatsby Novel: Critical Essay

Introduction

The Great Gatsby novel is a narrative that looks like a narration of a man's passionate love for a woman; however, it is not such a straightforward narrative since it is weaved into a pattern of symbolism. Also, the novel assumes the utilization of various themes with the aim to deliver the actual meaning of the narrative to its plot. In the Great Gatsby novel, the author F. Scott Fitzgerald ensures the recognition and depicts the moral corruption by majorly the use of characterization. For instance, he uses an ethical and honest narrator "Nick Carraway" to help portray the immoral individuals and corruption of the themes in The Great Gatsby. Following one of the themes in the novel, "American Dream" the author uses the character of Nick to show the contrast between the America dreams and how the characters have corrupted it to varying extents. Nick is the only honest man which he also recognizes as he states that, "I am one of the few honest people I have ever known" (Fitzgerald, 60).

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The Use of Characterization to Depict Moral Corruption

Just like many other characters in the Great Gatsby novel, Jay Gatsby is the main character used in depicting the theme of moral corruption. Although characters like Daisy, Tom, and Jordan escape the wrath of their involvement in Myrtle's death, they also characterize the theme of moral degradation. Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, and Gatsby are involved in cheating affairs in varying ways. Jordan Baker cheats in her sport; Tom is a racist while George Wilson commits murder. Gatsby (the main morally corrupt character) is a materialistic, judgemental, and dishonest character who has lived his life in the pursuit of love, power, and also wealth. Although Gatsby grew up poor, he is now living the life he wanted since he accomplished his ambition of being rich by involving in organized criminal activities such as the trade of stolen securities and the distribution of illegal alcohol. Within his strive to achieve his ambitions, Gatsby falls in love with Daisy Buchanan who also suffers from moral corruption. The moral depravity of Daisy is evident as she married Tom Buchanan because he was rich. It is correct to deliver that Jay Gatsby behaves in an immoral manner because of his goals of power, love, and wealth.

The Theme of Corruption in Gatsby's Pursuit of Love

Additionally, Jay Gatsby depicts the theme of corruption as he delivers considerable emphasis on achieving his ambitions of love. Since he is in love with Daisy, who is married to Tom, he provides that he must break up the marriage to realize his ambition and goal. Since he does not doubt his validity to his aspirations, he maintains his position even after Myrtle is killed and waits for Daisy to call (Fitzgerald). Gatsby should not be having this way since it is a morally corrupt behaviour that according to the author, corrupts the American dream. Moreover, he not behaving this way since his ambitions push him to such activities and there are better ways to achieve them. At the end of the Great Gatsby novel, most of the characters encounter consequences for their bad behaviour. For instance, Myrtle is run over, and Gatsby is shot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Great Gatsby delivers that nothing protects individuals from the repercussions of moral corruption. Moral decay is among the significant issues affecting the society today since it tends to have a myriad of problems that are rarely discussed. Although many individuals tend to recognize the point, it has become standard to ignore them. As Nick tells Gatsby that he is better than the "whole rotten bunch put together" in the event of his demise, the statement delivers the overall moral theme of the narrative.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby (1925). na, 1991.