How does Nick Describe Tom Buchanan: ‘Gatsby’s’ Distorted Dream

Distorted Values: The Intersection of Wealth, Beauty, and Morality in Fitzgerald’s America

From the moment one opens up the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the theme of wealth and beauty is evidently clear throughout the text. More specifically, the significance of wealth and social status compared to beauty and morality. I believe that The Great Gatsby is a brutally honest portrayal of the corrupt “American Dream.” I also believe that a more critical allegation about the novel is that this corruption and distortion of passion is F.

Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic, ill-fated vision of America. College student John Keller dives into a deep analysis of the text claiming that “the characters lack the ability to genuinely determine the true value of things such as aesthetic beauty and personal morality without factoring in financial and social status” (Keller). The author strongly exhibits these themes through the characters and their lives compared to one another.

Tom Buchanan as a Symbol: The Materialism Masking Morality and Beauty

To begin with, Fitzgerald uses Gatsby as the very image of how the characters are unable to recognize beauty and morality without factoring in wealth and prosperity. For instance, immediately after inviting Nick and Daisy over to his house, Gatsby turns to Nick for reassurance when he asks, “My house looks well, doesn’t it? See how the whole front of it catches the light.” (Fitzgerald 89). At this point of the novel, both Nick Carraway and the reader know that the sole purpose of this request made by Gatsby is to appeal to Daisy by showing off his riches and belongings. This quote essentially shows that characters in the story, such as Gatsby, are unable to recognize personal morality and beauty without factoring in wealth and possessions. Keller also proves this claim by analyzing Tom Buchanan and his view of riches and morality when he points out that “Tom infers that his home is beautiful because a wealthy oil man once owned it” (Keller). I believe that Tom takes comfort in knowing his house has physical value, which allows him to feel superior to others. In a more critical sense, Tom is a crude representation of the “American Dream” because he has everything and anything that he wants, which causes corruption in his ability to perceive beauty and personal character. The “American Dream” is typically known as the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. In all, the characters in the story are a cruel depiction of how money-focused ideals can alter a person’s perception of morality and wealth.

Daisy and Myrtle: The Dual Faces of Desperation in the Pursuit of the American Dream

In addition to Tom and Gatsby, two other solid representations of the corruption of the “American Dream” are Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson. Tom came across Myrtle when making one of his unethical decisions and participating in an affair with her. Keller makes a point that Myrtle uses Tom as her escape from “her current impoverished lifestyle” (Keller). This analysis shows that Myrtle is dissatisfied with her life of poverty and finds satisfaction when in the presence of someone with economic affinity. Her distortion of wealth and high social status shows her true morals as she disregards her diligent husband and attempts to pursue her own life centralized of riches. I would consider Myrtle Wilson to be a prime example of a failed attempt at the “American Dream.”

Daisy’s Delusion and the Final Verdict on America’s Tarnished Dream

Meanwhile, Daisy is playing the fool and acting oblivious to the affair, further proving that people corrupted by the “American Dream” fail to acknowledge their personal and moral being and tend to fall back into their cushion of wealth. The author strongly exhibits Daisy’s outlook on life through her romantic decisions. For example, Daisy truly loved Gatsby when they were young, but when push came to shove, Daisy could no longer wait for Gatsby and decided to build a life around constantly maintaining that cushion of wealth. However, after slowly becoming corrupted by the “American Dream,” Daisy’s perception of life becomes distorted. When Daisy emotionally describes her pregnancy to Nick, she reflects back to when she said, “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.’ ‘(Fitzgerald 118). The fact that Daisy aspires for her daughter to be a “beautiful little fool” is tragic in the way that Daisy has been so depraved of her individuality and self-worth that she can only hope for the same future for her daughter because being a “beautiful little fool” is all she knows.

In conclusion, the disentanglement of wealth and beauty shown throughout the novel, The Great Gatsby is evidently clear within the characters. From Jay Gatsby to Tom Buchanan and Daisy to Myrtle Wilson, the corrupt disillusionment between wealth and social status compared to beauty and personal morality is the harsh reality of the “American Dream.” To sum it all up, economic affinity has had some repercussions on each character in some way or another, therefore, justifying that moral ramifications will occur when financial desire is glorified.

Works Cited

1. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
2. Keller, John. “Untitled.” Cornell University 2006 New Student Reading Project. Cornell University. 2006.

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