The 1920s was a decade that celebrated the end of World War I and was centered around the prosperity of the economy and individual. Scott F. Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" (1925) is, at its core, a tragic love story that embodies society's manifestation in materialism and consumerism; maintain a secure place in the literary canon. Throughout this novel, Fitzgerald explores and personifies key social issues; including the pursuit and fall of the American dream, social discrimination; and how these two factors have fueled society's truths and illusions. Fitgerald's personal experiences have enabled him to successfully comment on the implications of these issues. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The American Dream is an ideology that represents a self-sufficient individual, with the work ethic that brings them financial stability and success. However, Fitzgerald explores the corruption of this dream through society's manifestation towards materialism and the idolatry of a lavish and carefree lifestyle. In Chapter 1, Nick Carraway meets Meyer Wolfsheim and learns that "he's a player." When Nick asks “why isn’t he in jail?” » Gatsby justifies his illegal activities by saying "he is an intelligent man." The use of the term "intelligent man" emphasizes the moral decadence of society, as the accumulation of black money was justified by intelligence and strategy. This proves how much of the contamination of the American dream has been driven by society's greed and inability to see beyond its idealistic lifestyle. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby's involvement in bootlegging to comment on the immoral behavior adopted by society. Furthermore, Chapter 5 suggests that the American Dream should remain an ideal rather than a reality. As Gatsby and Daisy stand on the balcony, he tells of his "green light that burns all night at the end of the platform", but then it occurs to him that "the colossal meaning of that light is now gone forever ". Johan Akkeson argues that the green light is a symbol of the failure of the American dream; and that just like Daisy, the American dream was more appealing when he was striving for it, compared to the lack of satisfaction he received once he achieved it. At this moment, Gatsby is overcome with dissatisfaction and a feeling of worthlessness as he realizes that he will never be able to recreate what he once had with Daisy. The “colossal significance” suggests that this inaccessible reality which obsessed him and got lost in it, left him with a feeling of emptiness. Overall, Fitzgerald comments on the corruption of the American dream in an age of moral decadence and developed obsession with wealth. The social class hierarchy in the 1920s was a destructive social construct, made up of those considered old money, the nouveau riche, and the lower classes. These labels have increased levels of social discrimination in contemporary society, with individuals facing the inequalities and lack of opportunities they had inherited. This is explored in Chapter 2, as the driving factor behind Myrtle and George Wilson's marriage was her desire to escape her social class, rather than love. Myrtle thought George “knew something about breeding” and “thought he was a gentleman.” However, problems arose when she realized that "he was not fit to lick her shoe." The use of this metaphor illustrates the strong desire of women in the 1920s to.