Thursday, August 22, 2019
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay Example for Free
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s early twentieth century masterpiece serves as the author’s critique on the 1920’s culture of extravagance to which he was admittedly was part of. The prosperous economy of the early twentieth century allowed the upper strata of the population to lead entirely leisure-filled lifestyles and it was in this setting that Fitzgerald framed his social criticisms, told through a first personal narrative account by the character, Nick. The theme of carelessness presents itself again and again throughout the course of the novel, mainly manifested through the actions of every major character in the book. The way carelessness is manifested in each character differs; however, the underlying commonality between all the characters is the availability of money. This is purposefully woven into the story by Fitzgerald to reflect the superfluous times of the period.            Tom and Daisy were careless with regards to many aspects of their lives, especially their marriage and their money. Tom took his relationship with Daisy for granted, unabashedly flaunting his affair with Myrtle without the least bit of consideration for Daisy. It is Tom’s egotistical personality that ultimately haunts him. Having been raised in luxury and privilege his entire life, Tom considered his actions to be without effect having never been forced to deal with the causalities of responsibility. As Nick observes, They were careless people, Tom and Daisy they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . .(189) Tom’s refusal to acknowledge consequences created the possibility and motivation for Daisy and Gatsby to fall in love. Tom’s solution was, of course, to take Daisy and run away from the problem at hand. Daisy also provides the perfect example of her carelessness during a conversation with Nick in which he tells her she is a â€Å"careless†driver. I am careful. No, youre not Well, other people are, she said lightly. Whats that got to do with it? Theyll keep out of my way, she insisted. It takes two to make an accident. Suppose you meet somebody just as careless as yourself. I hope I never will, she answered. I hate careless people.(63) Jordan, like Tom and Daisy, was raised in privilege and also displayed the utterly self-centered attitude of them as well. Jordan differed in her carelessness in the sense that she was used to men being attracted to her and having them at her disposal that she developed an inability to empathize with those coping with the effects of her actions. She also displayed the trademark characteristic during the golf tournament when she won the match after kicking the golf-ball into the hole. She was careless both by cheating in the first place as well as not being mindful of the crowd watching her while she cheated. The theme of carelessness resurfaces many times throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s â€Å"The Great Gatsby.†Each of the main characters exhibits this trait, and all are affected negatively by their careless actions. The theme was intentionally utilized as a focal point serving to highlight the general atmosphere of 1920’s decadence and free-spiritedness. â€Å"The Great Gatsby†continues to serve as a unique internal criticism of a decade that concerned itself the frivolities of aristocratic life. Outline Introduction – The story serves as Fitzgerald’s critique of his own                                          society. The leisurely lifestyle was allowed by the economic prosperity of the time The underlying characteristic is the presence of money Tom and Daisy – Tom took Daisy for granted in their marriage by affair with Myrtle Tom took Myrtle for granted and then lost her because of Daisy’s Carelessness            He does not acknowledge the effects of his actions            Quote by Nick observing this carelessness in both Tom and Daisy            -Daisy’s conversation with Nick concerning her reckless driving Jordan – Considers men to be disposable -She was born into privilege like Nick, Tom and Daisy -Example of the golf tournament used to illustrate her carelessness and selfishness Conclusion – Every character in the story is effected by their own carelessness or by that of another person. -Carelessness was chosen as a theme intentionally by Fitzgerald to serve as a critique on his society at the time
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