The Great Gatsby Moral Analysis

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The Ideals of the American Dream are often celestial mirages covering the obscure filth of the reality and its inherent consequences. One must always remember to conserve their right of mind so one can avoid getting poisoned by the glamour of society. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, examines an ensemble of high class citizens whom are free of any morals and continuously glide through obstacles using their looks and riches. One can see by examining Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle that the characters’ selfishness is built on a lack of moral foundation driven by greed which leads to each of them losing an entity of their life. By examining Tom, one can see how ungrateful he is of the luxury and family he has in his life. Greediness clouds …show more content…
When wrongful acts are committed, having a negative consequence on others did not seem to cross Tom’s mind, as his excessive greed blankets it. It is discovered that Myrtle’s husband, George, found out about the affair. The infidelity committed by both parties caused by lack of morality is what led to the death of Myrtle and her husband as Gatsby recaps, “...but it seemed to me that she wanted to speak to us, thought we were somebody she knew. Well, first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back… killed her instantly” (Fitzgerald 137). If it were not for the affair, Daisy would have continued to dodge Myrtle and sped on home. It is the fact that Daisy recognized her as the woman Tom was sleeping with, and it caused her turn around and proceed to kill her. Tom should have never been unfaithful but the greed of having more than a wife is what drove him to keep Myrtle which ends up becoming bound to her death. Losing Myrtle meant losing one of his prized possessions, and her life was paid as a result to this selfish …show more content…
The charm she possesses veils the vanity and self-centeredness within and gets her anything she wants. Since Daisy is easily persuaded by money, it is undoubtful that she will be swept off her feet by any man who promises her riches and constant admiration. Gatsby was one of those men, but when he went off to war, it failed to satisfy Daisy’s needs and in that moment “She wanted her life shaped now, immediately - and the decision must be made by some force - of love, money, of unquestionable practicality - that was close at hand” (Fitzgerald 144). This illustrates how Daisy could not wait for Gatsby as she needed fulfillment for her needs at the palm of her hands. Since Tom was the closest option, she quickly moved on to him without any remorse for Gatsby as she knew her own needs would be satisfied. When one’s actions are based upon the benefits it may bring to them and none other, it is evident that the character lacks the morality to value anyone except those who may have something to