Examples Of Infidelity In The Great Gatsby

The 1920’s were a period of time in which citizens were motivated by the typical “American Dream.” In striving to achieve a greater image, the morality of the people became quite corrupt. Dishonesty and infidelity are two qualities that the upper class of the 1920’s upheld. F. Scott Fitzgerald was an author who decided to portray the twisted time through the writing of a novel. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald depicts the skewed morals of the upper class in the 1920’s through the utilization of Jordan Baker’s dishonesty and Tom Buchanan’s infidelity. Jordan Baker is one character who represents the way in which personal dreams have turned from being achieved through hard work and determination to easily achievable through dishonesty and
Unconcerned with Nick’s relationship to Daisy, Tom openly introduces him to his mistress, Myrtle. When in New York with Tom and Myrtle, Nick becomes fully aware of Tom’s second life and how easy it is for him to forget about and disregard Daisy. However, Daisy is aware of Tom’s revolting actions and ashamed of her husband’s “little spree[s]” (F 131). Although Tom and Daisy appear to be the ideal 1920’s family, their marriage is marked by betrayal and adultery. Fitzgerald used this image to emphasize the misleading aspects of the wealthy family fantasy. The Great Gatsby captures the essence of the immoral activities that were practiced by many people in the 1920’s era. Fitzgerald’s use of dishonesty and infidelity in his characters creates a realistic and meaningful depiction of the time. Both Jordan Baker and Tom Buchanan form the perfect image of those who deceived others in order to fulfil their own fantasies and desires. By the end of the novel, readers are aware of the way that the “American Dream” was nothing but an advertisement. It was a fantasy that was not meant to be achieved by those who sought it through immoral