Preview

Examples Of Infidelity In The Great Gatsby

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
442 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Infidelity In The Great Gatsby
The 1920’s were a period of time in which citizens were motivated by the typical “American Dream.” In striving to achieve a greater image, the morality of the people became quite corrupt. Dishonesty and infidelity are two qualities that the upper class of the 1920’s upheld. F. Scott Fitzgerald was an author who decided to portray the twisted time through the writing of a novel. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the skewed morals of the upper class in the 1920’s through the utilization of Jordan Baker’s dishonesty and Tom Buchanan’s infidelity. Jordan Baker is one character who represents the way in which personal dreams have turned from being achieved through hard work and determination to easily achievable through dishonesty and …show more content…
Unconcerned with Nick’s relationship to Daisy, Tom openly introduces him to his mistress, Myrtle. When in New York with Tom and Myrtle, Nick becomes fully aware of Tom’s second life and how easy it is for him to forget about and disregard Daisy. However, Daisy is aware of Tom’s revolting actions and ashamed of her husband’s “little spree[s]” (F 131). Although Tom and Daisy appear to be the ideal 1920’s family, their marriage is marked by betrayal and adultery. Fitzgerald used this image to emphasize the misleading aspects of the wealthy family fantasy. The Great Gatsby captures the essence of the immoral activities that were practiced by many people in the 1920’s era. Fitzgerald’s use of dishonesty and infidelity in his characters creates a realistic and meaningful depiction of the time. Both Jordan Baker and Tom Buchanan form the perfect image of those who deceived others in order to fulfil their own fantasies and desires. By the end of the novel, readers are aware of the way that the “American Dream” was nothing but an advertisement. It was a fantasy that was not meant to be achieved by those who sought it through immoral

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Tom’s physical abuse of his mistress, Myrtle, reveals his need for dominance over women. When Myrtle mentions Daisy’s name, Tom’s extreme anger causes him to break “her nose with his open hand.” (37) Tom’s need to exert physical control over Myrtle emphasizes his sexist need for control. His infuriation over her mentions of Daisy illustrate his inability to see Myrtle beyond an object for his sexual gratification. Furthermore, his immediate invalidation of his mistress’s accusations of infidelity portray his ignorance of female opinions, again exemplifying his need for dominance over the women in his life. Moreover, Tom’s disregard for Daisy and their family by having an affair further emphasizes his lack of respect for women. Additionally, Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy’s wealth displays his glorification of money and reveals his view of Daisy as a tool to break out of the confines of poverty. While describing Daisy as a “nice girl,” Gatsby focuses on her “rich house” and “rich, full life.” (149) His fixation on her material wealth reveals his identification of her as a means to achieve his desired success. This objectification of Daisy further highlights the overall dehumanization of women. Tom’s marginalization of Myrtle and Gatsby’s advantageous use of Daisy illustrate the ultimately negative and condescending attitude toward women throughout society, particularly in the wealthiest…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Fitzgerald exposes the corruption of the 1920s through the characterization of Tom Buchanan. He makes Tom into a violent, egotistical person who thrives in diminishing the roles and values of others. Jeffrey Decker examines this demise in character in the 1920s when he state, “The Great Gatsby (1925) represents the diminishing moral authority…” (Decker, "Gatsby's Pristine Dream: The Diminishment Of The Self-Made Man In The Tribal Twenties). ‘Moral authority’ can be defined as authority that is based on basic principles and fundamental truths of the world. The decline in moral authority can be shown through the way that Tom Buchanan reacts with the rest of society. This is evident when Tom says, “Civilization’s going to pieces,” broke out Tom…

    • 177 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    F. Scott Fitzgerald described the tension between Tom and Daisy to show has awkward it is between them. Whilst they ate dinner there was an “.... unmistakeable air of natural intimacy about the picture.”(152). “Intimacy is usually used to show the love and affection between two people. In Tom and Daisy’s case, it reveals how fake their relationship is. The intimacy is only temporary until Tom finds another woman. The only reason why Daisy and Tom are still together is by money, they are both powerful rich adults.. Although Daisy already knows that Tom is cheating she is trapped in the marriage. This displays moral corruption; Tom is bound to have another woman again and will never be loyal to Daisy. Tom displays selfishness and the corruption of the American dream by his greediness and unwilling to let anyone be equal to him. He cheated on Daisy solely to enjoy himself more, proving how reckless he truly…

    • 1322 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Acts of selfishness are a regular recurrence, in both The Great Gatsby and our reality. So much so that it is essentially a typical behavioural pattern observable at any given time. Examples of such can be found in the infidelity of numerous characters and the condemnation of all of them according to the conventional”standard” that is heavily influenced by categorical imperative. But in consonance to ethical egoism, on the contrary, one should only act in one’s own self interest, in this case not dissimilar to conforming to the natural law itself. As aforementioned, infidelity as the representation of immoral behaviour is a rather common occurrence.…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “If you cheat on someone that is willing to do anything for you, you actually cheated yourself out of true loyalty” (Unknown). The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about how awful and gross cheating can become, and how you can easily get caught.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    First, Daisy Buchanan demonstrates the corrupt American dream by lying to herself and lacking sensibility. Gatsby and Daisy fell deeply in love years ago, but Daisy would not marry him because he did not have enough money. Instead, she married Tom. Daisy and Tom buy a house in East Egg and start a family. However, when Daisy and Gatsby reunite, she says to Gatsby that she still loves him. ''I love you now – isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past.' She began to sob hopelessly. 'I did love him once – but I loved you too'' (Fitzgerald 132). Daisy’s life corrupts the American Dream because she cannot maintain a successful family if she still has feelings for another man. In addition, Daisy worries only about materialistic details. When Gatsby, Daisy, and Nick tour Gatsby’s house, Nick finds a picture of Gatsby and his friend Dan Cody on Gatsby’s yacht. Gatsby tells them that Dan Cody, his best friend, had passed away. Daisy shows no empathy that his friend has passed away and focuses on the yacht. ''I adore it!' exclaimed Daisy. 'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour or a yacht'' (Fitzgerald 100). Daisy shows no pity for Gatsby losing his best friend because she focuses on the yacht. Daisy…

    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ridge Scholarship Essay

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages

    On the surface, The Great Gatsby reads as a story of thwarted love between a man and a woman. The real theme of the novel, however, encompasses a highly symbolic meditation on 1920’s America as a whole, and, in particular, the disintegration of the American dream in an era of unprecedented prosperity and material excess. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920’s as an era of decaying social and moral values, evidenced in its overarching cynicism, greed, and empty pursuit of pleasure. The reckless jubilance that led to decadent parties and wild jazz music—epitomized in The Great Gatsby by the opulent parties that Gatsby himself hosts every Saturday night—resulted ultimately in the corruption of the…

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jordan expresses a statement that seems contradictory but when analyzed closer it appears to be true. When at a large party, of 200 people, it is less likely that everyone is listening to a conversation you are having with a small group of people. It is almost impossible because of the noise and commotion that is going on, for anyone to eavesdrop or overhear your conversation, therefore granting you privacy. Whereas at a small party, of 20 people, it is more likely that everyone is involved in the conversation or that people could listen to your private conversation easily, therefore depriving you of your privacy. Although Jordan probably says this referring to her own experience at parties, it can relate to Gatsby's large parties either way.…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrates how the desire for money and materialism compels the American dream to decay. Fitzgerald uses Tom and Daisy’s daughter, Gatsby’s bootlegging, and the sin of adultery to show the downfall of ideals during this time period. The Great Gatsby examines the collapse of society’s morals and values in their attempt to try and pursue the American dream.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Gatsby portrays a variety of realities that happen in everyday life and that are at times not spoken of but need attention called out to, realities such as dishonesty and affairs, are delicate topics that Fitzgerald brings up to the audience. Dishonesty and affair issues are seen through Tom and the involvement he has with another woman while married to Daisy since he openly admits it to Nick, ordering “We’re getting off!’ he insisted ‘I Want you to meet my girl” (928). Of course, when he said ‘girl’ he was not referring to Daisy, he was cynically accepting the affair he was having with her and in way, one might say, proud by the tone he used, almost excitedly saying it. Fitzgerald does not hide the fact that it is an issue that needs some calling out and in the process also breaks the stereotype that it is only men who are disloyal since, Myrtle, Tom’s “girl” is also a married woman having an affair on her husband with…

    • 515 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald focuses on the wealthy class that live in New York, and takes place during the “Roaring Twenties”, and era of economic prosper and recklessness after World War I. Fitzgerald highlights the irresponsibility and lack of morality that derives from wealth. Throughout the novel, there are a number of characters that abuse their wealth or power in a way to excuse their moral irresponsibility. Through Gatsby’s disputed accumulation of wealth and Tom’s unceasing trysts, Fitzgerald paints a vivid picture of two men who choose to use their wealth and objectives as an excuse for their immoral habits.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    How human beings behave in society is dictated by moral standards of conduct that are generally accepted as right or proper. This sense of morality can become perverse such that the lines between right and wrong are blurred. The person becomes depraved and their behavior eschews what is generally considered to be right. In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald the characters are portrayed in an immoral manner. F. Scott Fitzgerald displays the destruction of morals in society during the era of the “Jazz Age.” The main characters: Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby are categorized as morally corrupt; they lose their values in attempt to find their place in the social world. These…

    • 1170 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby it is evident to see that money cannot buy happiness and it will never allow those to achieve the American Dream. The superficiality of the 1920’s society is clearly evident through the characters including Jay Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and Myrtle Wilson. As the novel continues to develop it is seen that the excitement in this era overall leads to one's downfall and unhappiness.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The concept of money creating power is a characteristic seen far too often in society. The news always has different stories of wealthy individuals acting irresponsibly or obtaining money unethically. This is a trait highlighted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. In this fast-paced novel about the life and struggles of the 1920s elite, it is clear to see the idea of money causing character to darken and motives to become less ethical. Whether it is Tom abusing the system of marriage and the lower class or Gatsby’s suggested illegal income source, the flaws money creates are entirely shown. While Fitzgerald’s main purpose of writing such a novel may not have been to highlight these flaws, he accurately portrays questions of character in and out of the family and the greed driven questionable business ideas that have perpetually plagued society within his novel.…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The 1920’s could be described as “a great time to be rich” in America. It was a time where the rich got richer, and the poor worked to better their lives. It was a time of hope; when people strived to achieve the American dream of money, family, and happiness. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, attempts to uncover the truth of the American Dream. It follows the experience of Nick Carraway and his meeting with the one and only Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is perceived as one trying to live out the American Dream - a man with great ideals determined to achieve the unachievable. It is through his pursuit of Daisy that Fitzgerald is able to show that the Dream itself is truly indeed unrealistic and corrupted by materialism.…

    • 950 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays