Social Commentary in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald :: free essay writer

The Great Gatsby Social Commentary On one level The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald comments on the careless gaiety and moral decadence of the period in which it was set. It contains innumerable references to the contemporary scene. The wild extravagance of Gatsbys parties, the shallowness and aimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsbys exponentiation in crime all identify the period and the American setting. But as a piece of fond commentary The Great Gatsby also describes the affliction of the American dream, from the point of view that American political ideals conflict with the actual social conditions that exist. For whereas American democracy is based on the idea of equality among people, the integrity is that social discrimination still exists and the divisions among the classes cannot be overcome. Myrtles attempt to break into the group to which the Buchanans belong is doomed to fail. Taking advantage of her vivacity, her lively nature, she seeks to escape fro m her own class. She enters into an function with Tom and takes on his way of living. But she only becomes vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality. And for all her social ambition, Myrtle never succeeds in her attempt to find a place for herself in Toms class. When it comes to a crisis, the rich stand together against all outsiders. Myrtles condition, of course, is a weaker verbal expression of Gatsbys to a greater extent significant struggle. While Myrtles desire springs from social ambition, Gatsbys is related more to his idealism, his faith in lifes possibilities. Undoubtedly, his desire is also influenced by social considerations Daisy, who is wealthy and beautiful, represents a way of life which is remote from Gatsbys and therefore more attractive because it is out of reach. However, social consciousness is not a basic cause. It merely directs and increases Gatsbys belief in lifes possibilities. Like Myrtle, Gats by struggles to fit himself into another social group, but his attempt is more urgent because his whole faith in life is involved in it. Failure, therefore, is more terrible for him. His whole career, his confidence in himself and in life is totally shattered when he fails to win Daisy. His death when it comes is almost insignificant, for, with the collapse of his dream, Gatsby is already spiritually dead. As social satire, The Great Gatsby is also a comment on moral decadence in modem American society.