‘the Great Gatsby Depicts a Society Which Exists in a...

SAC: Critical written response to The Great Gatsby 2. ‘The Great Gatsby depicts a society which exists in a state of confusion and moral chaos.’ Discuss. The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald set during the 1920s about a man named Jay Gatsby through Nick Carraway’s eyes, and is considered one of the great pieces of American literature of all-time. The Great Gatsby shows a society that is in an immoral and crazed state. Jay Gatsby himself shows the corrupt American society and lifestyle. Affairs and cheating display the unethical aspects of the community. Materialism and the desire for possessions cause people to dispose themselves of values. The inaccuracy of the American Dream leaves the society confused and†¦show more content†¦Claud Roosevelt and ‘Owl Eyes’ and Hubert Auerbach and Mr. Chrystie’s wife. The fact that both the man and woman in the cheating relationship do not consider what is right and also their other partner gives an image of what the society was like during the ‘Roaring Twenties’, careless and crazy. Tom shows his frustration after he learns of D aisy’s love for Gatsby, saying, â€Å"I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that’s the idea you can count me out.† He is trying to claim what is morally correct and defend the sanctity of marriage, while at the same time is in a relationship with another woman. Tom’s mistress, Myrtle Wilson, wife of George Wilson, is like one of his prized possessions, and, â€Å"he turned up in popular restaurants with her and, leaving her at a table, sauntered about, chatting with whomever he knew.† Despite her not being his actual wife, he still did not mind parading her around and showing her off in particular areas. Many of the adulterers were also quite wealthy and prided themselves on their belongings. Materialism was a desire that many had in the society shown in The Great Gatsby. This was majorly due to a lack of morality, a sense of right and wrong and so materialistic items and wealth become people’s main focus and aspirations. Money is lavishly spent on clothes, cars and other assets, which is quite wasteful and those who might need it