The Pervasive Power of Money: an Illusionary American Dream

Generations climb toward dreams on America's promise of opportunity. However, beneath its enticing facade lies a darker reality, where the relentless pursuit of wealth can corrupt minds and ruin lives. This duality is vividly illustrated in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," a novel that delves into the complexities of wealth and morality through the experiences of its protagonist, Nick Carraway, on Long Island. In the novel, Fitzgerald explores how the obsession with wealth can lead to moral decay, fractured relationships, and ultimately, the disillusionment of the American Dream.

The Corrosion of Morality for Wealth

Money exerts a powerful influence over the characters in "The Great Gatsby," impairing their moral judgment and eroding familial bonds. This theme is evident in the tumultuous relationships between Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and George Wilson. When Nick visits the Buchanans, he learns of Tom's infidelity through Daisy's revelation: "'Why,' she said hesitantly, 'Tom's got some woman in New York.'" Myrtle, Tom's mistress, leaves her husband, George Wilson, in pursuit of Tom's wealth and status. The allure of money blinds Myrtle to her moral obligations, leading her to betray her husband and compromise her values.

Initially, Myrtle genuinely loves George, but her exposure to the opulence of the upper class shifts her priorities from love to social status. As she confesses, "'I married him because I thought he was a gentleman,' she said finally. 'I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe… I knew right away I made a mistake.'" This shift in perception is catalyzed by her realization that George lacks wealth, as evidenced by his need to borrow a suit for their wedding. Despite their eleven-year marriage, Myrtle's affair with Tom reveals her true intentions—she is willing to shatter her marriage and disrupt the Buchanan family to ascend the social ladder. Her inability to see beyond financial gain underscores the corrupting power of wealth, leading her to forsake genuine love in favor of material allure.

Comparative Analysis: George Wilson and Tom Buchanan

In contrast to Myrtle's moral corruption, George Wilson embodies resilience against the seductive pull of wealth. Unlike Tom Buchanan, who belongs to "an extremely small pool of the super-rich," George runs a modest garage business in the Valley of Ashes. Despite his financial struggles, George remains steadfast in his values, resisting the temptation to engage in unethical behavior. His desire to move west with Myrtle highlights his commitment to preserving their marriage and escaping the money-driven society that threatens to consume them.

Judith Saunders, in "American Classics: Evolutionary Perspectives," contends that competition for sexual attention and loyalty often incites violence and conflict. Myrtle's choice of Tom as a lover exemplifies this dynamic: "Myrtle Wilson’s selection of Tom as an extramarital affair partner is strategically sound… Access to otherwise unobtainable material resources is ‘a key adaptive benefit’ women stand to gain from casual liaisons" (Saunders 142). While Tom offers Myrtle a fleeting glimpse into luxury, her decision to cheat on George reveals her willingness to compromise her morals for temporary gratification. Ultimately, Myrtle's pursuit of wealth through infidelity results in her tragic demise, illustrating the inherent dangers of valuing material gain over ethical conduct.

The Illusory Nature of the American Dream

Fitzgerald uses the motif of the green light to symbolize Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream—a dream that is ultimately unattainable and illusory. The green light, emanating from the Buchanan dock, represents Gatsby's longing for a life with Daisy, a life defined by wealth and status. As Fitzgerald writes, "Gatsby stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way… distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock." This imagery foreshadows Gatsby's inevitable downfall, as his dream is built on an unstable foundation of illegal activities and unreciprocated love.

Despite Gatsby's immense wealth, his pursuit of the American Dream remains unfulfilled. His illegal ventures and lavish parties are all attempts to win Daisy's affection, yet he fails to secure her love. Gatsby's tragic end underscores the novel's central theme: the American Dream is an illusion, a mirage that lures individuals into moral compromise and disillusionment.

Conclusion

Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of money and the illusory nature of the American Dream. Through the characters' moral corruption, fractured relationships, and ultimate disillusionment, the novel reveals the perils of prioritizing material wealth over ethical values. In a society obsessed with status and wealth, individuals like George Wilson who remain true to their principles stand in stark contrast to those who succumb to the seductive allure of money. The novel's enduring relevance serves as a reminder that the pursuit of wealth, when unchecked, can lead to the erosion of moral integrity and the unraveling of the very dreams it promises to fulfill.

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