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
Her sense of materialism comes hand-in-hand with her careless lifestyle, as she, “...smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into [her] money or [her] vast carelessness.” Gatsby’s parties are a collection of luxurious items and activities along with vulgar and outrageous behaviour of people. Almost all of the attendants at the parties do not know the host personally, and so are merely there to take part in the abundant festivities and take advantage of Gatsby’s belongings. These participants of Gatsby’s parties, “...conducted themselves according to the rules of behaviour associated with amusement parks," defying moral principles and codes of action and rather are focused on indulging themselves in the celebrations. Some people used materialism as a way of gaining their so-called American Dream.

The American Dream is a false myth that disrupts the society. The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States that says there are opportunities for success and prosperity for everyone, and through hard work you can become wealthier and more successful, or whatever you want to be, regardless of race, identity, gender and social statues. Achieving the American Dream and your goal in life is truly dependent on social class and wealth, and limits a person to what they can actually achieve. George Wilson struggles to make a living despite his hard work and his good actions, as he believes, “God knows what you've been