The pursuit of dreams and happiness has left many disregarding their traditions and societal norms which guides their conscience. Many people are not able to stand the pleasures of the world even if it’s beyond their reach. It seems as though evolution has ripped man off his moral capabilities and many morally debased. In THE GREAT GATSBY, the theme of corruption is seen in many areas. The creation of sudden wealth by Gatsby, the adulterous act between Tom Buchanan and Myrtle, Gatsby’s assassination by Wilson and Tom and Daisy’s escape are all forms of corruption revealed in human life.
To start with, little did people who attended Gatsby’s numerous parties know how he made his money. The source of his wealth remained anonymous to all. Jay Gatz after seeing to the modification of his real name, indulged in bootlegging to create the vast wealth he displayed. Either way, both Gatsby and the people who attended his parties are all guilty of in different times since they didn’t really mind where the money came from other than the ecstasy they drew from the friday nights. One is guilty of financial corruption and the other for moral debasement.
It wasn’t only Gatsby who was guilty of corruption but also Tom and Myrtle’s adulterous affair can be labelled as an instance moral corruption. Tom was married to Daisy but sought fulfillment outside the confines of his marriage. This instance of moral corruption is also seen in Gatsby’s pursuit of his version of the American dream. As he lusted after Daisy, he knew very well she was married but was urged on by emotional greed. That act of covetousness by Gatsby was a clear indication of how morally corrupt he was. Gatsby didn’t care about whom he hurts in the process, the only thing that mattered was hitting his target.
It is almost impossible to talk about corruption and leave out Tom and Daisy’s ruthless behavior. The thought of Daisy as Myrtle’s killer remains unarguable no matter how much effort Gatsby commit in trying to carry her cross. Tom and Daisy’s departure with the intention of exposing Gatsby as the killer reveals they had no iota of morality in them. The plan worked perfectly for them as Gatsby paid the price.
It is quite understandable to say that anyone who hasn’t lost a loved one doesn’t actually know the emotional difficulties it comes along with. That being said, a society built on the idea of an eye for an eye will run out of inhabitants in no time. Gatsby’s murder by Wilson is an example of the corruption that lives throughout the book. Even if Gatsby was the killer, it wasnt right for Wilson to kill him in cold blood. It caps the argument of immorality throughout the book.
No one person can be blamed for the corruption that existed at the time. Gatsby, those who showed up at his parties, Myrtle, Tom and Daisy Buchannan, and Wilson are all guilty of corruption one way or the other. Corruption in THE GREAT GATSBY is a gigantic web where all of it’s characters were connected one way or the other. It is not surprising Nick said “ They’re a rotten crowd’ I shouted across the lawn. “ You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.’”(Fitzgerald 154). Corruption made them rot and its smell was all over the city.