Great Gatsby 9 Essay, Research Paper

Literary Critique of the Great Gatsby

The wealthy lifestyles of the Buchanans and Miss Jordan have morally corrupted their lives. Money has created boredom for them. Their ways of perceiving life and their altitudes towards other is vain. But each of them shows off their vanity in different ways. Tom Buchanan, for example, believes that white civilization is going to pieces and will be utterly submerged by the other races. The Rise of the Coloured Empires has reinforced his perception that his race is more civilized. This book has made Tom believe that it is all scientific and true. He does not realize that he is a racist. He thinks that just because the white race has more wealth, that they should be in control of society.

Miss Baker shows off her vanity in her actions. In the vehicle with Nick, Jordan insisted she receive special privileges because of her wealth and celebrity status. Her comment, “They’ll keep out of my way,” implies that other drivers will keep out of her way. She has a spoiled altitude towards because she thinks she owns the road. She is also hypocritical because she hates careless people even though she is a careless driver herself.

Daisy Buchanan expresses her vanity in the words she says. For example, she once said, “I’ve been everywhere and seen everything and love everything,” implying that she has been around the globe and seen everything there is to offer. She thinks that she can solve the problems of the world because she has gone to a few more places than other people have and that she knows more than other people do. Her wealth has given her the opportunity to visit extraordinary places, but it has also given her boredom. She has taken her money for granted and now she has too much free time.

Money has given the Buchanans and Miss Baker everything they had ever wanted. It has enriched their lives and their lifestyles. But it has also made their altitude towards others vain. Their wealth has revealed their vanity for the rest of the world to see.

March 12, 1998

English III Honors