Theme Of Moral Decay In The Great Gatsby

Upon first glance, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and the critically acclaimed film Chicago tell two different and unique stories. However, closer analysis reveals a shared theme between the two: moral decay. Taking place in the 1920s after World War I, Fitzgerald takes the reader to the epicentre of American society - New York City. The restless and hectic city lifestyle reflects upon the lying, selfish, and deceiving characters. Meanwhile, in the bustling streets of Chicago, the nightlife and the ethics of society are explored through music and dance. Characters often make decisions while disregarding the emotions of others, showing their morality through their actions. Both stories comprise of many characters that exhibit egocentric

traits ranging from blatant negligence to audacious decision-making. The roaring twenties were a time of exploitation and insensitivity used for personal gain, which is expressed through the behaviours of both major and minor characters in both works.
Daisy Buchanan, the beautiful, selfless, and charming woman of Gatsby’s dreams turns out the opposite of how she is described. Daisy desires the best of both worlds: wealth and a higher social status, while also craving a deeper intimate relationship with a man. She uses her husband, Tom, and her original lover, Gatsby, for her own personal gain. Both men offer her a sense of purpose she feels is missing from her life, causing Daisy to act carelessly. She finds herself frustrated with her emotions in chapter seven, and she exclaims to Gatsby “Oh, you want too much!... I love you now – isn't that enough? I can't help what's past… I did love him once – but I loved you too" [after being demanded to tell her husband Tom that she never loved him] (Fitzgerald 132). The amount of pressure Daisy feels during this confrontation clearly displays the selfish nature of her actions, she does not want to jeopardize either of her relationships with then men, so she claims Gatsby is asking for too much. Ironically, it is really Daisy whom is asking for too much in this situation, as she does not realize she cannot have both men. Her actions prove she does not have any consideration for the feelings of the ones she ‘loves’. However, a similar display of selfish actions can be seen through certain characters in Chicago.
Jazz, dance, money, and fame are just a few of the dreams the infamous Roxie Hart is eager to attain, and she is willing to do anything and use anyone to get them. As Roxie introduces herself, her deceptive morals quickly rise to the surface; the wannabe jazz mistress is arrested shortly after she murders the family furniture salesman, Fred Casely. Aware of what she has done, Roxie attempts to convince her husband Amos to take the blame for the murder. She knows that Amos will do anything to protect her so she uses his loving and protecting nature against him. If Amos goes to jail instead of herself, Roxie will be able to achieve her dream of becoming a renowned singer and dancer, while simultaneously leaving her old life behind. Roxie considers Amos as a convenience to herself. She was once with him because she felt safe with him but as time passed she used him as leverage to fulfill her ambitions. This careless approach towards another person’s feelings is expressed through prevalent characters, yet it is also seen throughout the society that surrounds them.
Extravagance and liveliness are understatements when describing the parties Jay Gatsby holds in his gothic mansion of West Egg. These lavish and tremendous get-togethers are so large that most guests who arrive are not invited and show no interest in the host at all. This speaks volumes about the values and personalities of this society. The guests, who are essentially strangers, posses the arrogance to depreciate the wealthy Gatsby, spreading that “… they thought he killed a man once” and “…that he was a German spy during the war" (44). The rumours the guests discuss and spread amongst each other are signs they only care about being at the party to drink and cause mayhem. These same pitiful personalities of Gatsby’s party guest can be seen in the society of Chicago.
The jazz age was a time of scandalous, promiscuous and explicit behaviour. Although Roxie Hart is in prison, her dream of becoming a star supresses itself until she realizes she can use her dreadful publicity to make a positive name for herself. With the help of the acclaimed lawyer Billie Flynn, she uses the poor values of society to gain the publicity she desires. Chicago becomes engrossed in the stories of Roxie and her murder scandal, and she soon gains so much popularity that the city produces children’s dolls inspired after the mistress. The society of Chicago worships melodramatic behaviour, and this conveys the insensitive nature of the city. Overall, society at this time is fully immersed in drama and dreadful actions although it is important to note the behaviours of individual people as well.
In the 1920s, having an affair is a common occurrence.

Being married is more for the money and social status than love. Blinded by his own dreams and aspirations, Gatsby chooses to ignore Daisy’s marriage and continues to pursue her. The ignorance of Gatsby’s behaviour proves he has no remorse for the feelings of Tom Buchanan. After Tom says he will take better cate of Daisy Gatsby says to him “You don’t understand … You’re not going to take care of her anymore … Daisy’s leaving you” (133). The self-centred nature of Gatsby’s words show he does not care about the marriage between Daisy and Tom, and is willing to take her away without any remorse. The disregard of marriage is an action that is identically expressed in the city of Chicago.
Although he is a minor character, Fred Casely plays a huge role in setting the premise of the film. The handsome but deceptive man is the opposite of Roxie’s husband Amos, which is what attracts her to him. Fred, the family furniture salesman, claims he can help Roxie become a star in return for sex, despite knowing she is married to Amos. Before Roxie murders him, he admits he could never have made a name for Roxie, and this exposes his disingenuousness. Fred expresses a heavy sense of indifference in the brief time he is in the film, which shows the lack of empathy and humanity he

possesses.
The 1920s were a time highlighting explicit behaviour, broken marriages, and deceptive individuals. As the jazz age progressed, the morality and ethics of society were on the decline, and this is seen in both The Great Gatsby and Chicago through major and minor characters. Taking advantage of emotions, using people for personal gain, and insensitivity towards others are all evident within these works through their major characters such as Daisy Buchanan and Roxie Hart. Both New York City and Chicago explore the jazz age in unique ways yet share the same overlapping theme of moral decay. The behaviours expressed by these characters in both their actions and speech show the values of society in the 1920s and the deterioration of their morals.