the great gatsby deception essay

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The Great Gatsby Essay: Lies And Deception

• The Great Gatsby Essay: Lies…

“Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” This quotation is said by Nick Caraway, the narrator of Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald depicts Nick as or moral guide through a novel infused with lies and deception.

Fitzgerald utilizes many themes throughout the book one being, truth versus lies, within the novel virtually all main characters are dishonest to others or to themselves which exposes each character’s true self to the reader. Jay Gatsby, the protagonist fabricates a story about his life piecing together facets of information that sound intriguing and somewhat believable. As well he allows rumors to be spread regarding his occupation and his wealth and does not correct or allow much to be known about him.

Daisy Buchanan is a character that often lies to others as well as herself through statements that she makes concerning her child, her marriage, and her love affair with Jay Gatsby. The deception and dishonesty that the characters in the novel demonstrate ultimately reveals the truth about each character’s disposition.

Jay Gatsby is quite an elusive character in this novel , Fitzgerald allows the reader to speculate and to make assumptions about Gatsby only revealing the truth towards the end of the novel. Prior to even being introduced to the great Jay Gatsby it is suggested to the reader about Gatsby that, “…He’s a nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from” (page 35).

As well, before the character appears rumors circulate about him, “He killed a man once… He was a German spy during the war… He was in the American Army.” Gatsby’s trail of deceit begins with the gossip and rumors about him, he seems very uninterested in controlling the wild rumors being spread about him.

He is aware that not many of the guests at his extravagant parties are even aware of who he is, we see this on page 49 upon the introduction of Gatsby to the narrator, Nick. As well later on again Gatsby says to Nick, “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear.” As a result of Gatsby’s acknowledgment and unwillingness to confirm or deny the rumors about him, he is lying by way of omission from the truth.

Aside from omitting details, Gatsby extends his deception by fabricating the stories of his life. In chapter four Gatsby has become closer to Nick and tells him of his past, “I am the son of some wealthy people in the Mid West- all dead now.” (Page 64). This small sentence alone is a blatant lie as Gatsby’s father appears at the end of the novel and is clearly not dead. As well when prompted as to where in the midwest he replies San Francisco, which is not a city of the Mid West United States.

As this speech is continued Gatsby goes on to tell Nick that he spent time in Europe, “Collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little” (Page 64). Gatsby continues to tell stories of the honors bestowed upon him by the country of Montenegro, as well as his days at Oxford. Gatsby merely forgets to include the details of his rise to the top through the world of bootlegging and his obsession with Daisy Buchanan.

Fitzgerald makes clear right away that Gatsby’s stories are less than credible, which all is shown in the latter part of the novel. The manufactured stories are evident to the reader but the question must be posed as to why a rich and powerful man like Jay Gatsby would veer from the path of truth. The answer is shame, although he has wealth and many things to show for it Gatsby is shamed by his methods of attaining it, and because of this he allows rumors to be spread and continues to spread them himself.

In the 1920s although bootleggers were necessary to allow people to continue their valued lifestyles and lavish parties they were not seen as captains of industry they were seen by the upper class as low-life criminals. Gatsby’s lies and deception allow for the reader to see that in reality, Gatsby is ashamed of the means by which he has attained everything he so explicitly shows off.

Daisy Buchanan is the object of Gatsby’s affection in this novel and like Gatsby, she is rather dishonest throughout the novel. Through having her affair with Gatsby she begins lying to her husband. In chapter seven, Gatsby is having drinks at Daisy and Tom’s home, as Tom leaves the room daisy kisses Gatsby and proclaims, “I don’t care!” (page 111). She is saying this of her love for Gatsby and that she does not care who knows.

This is not only a lie she tells the others but a lie she tells to herself. Later on, in chapter seven there is a confrontation involving Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby. Gatsby prompts Daisy to admit that she had never loved Tom which she had most likely lied to Gatsby about earlier. She reluctantly replies, “I never loved him.” (page 126). Rethinking that answer she soon after takes that back saying that she did love both Tom and Gatsby.

Although she has lied to them both, it is more likely that this is a lie she is telling herself. The culmination of her dishonesty to her husband and lover as well as her dishonesty towards herself reveals to the reader that as well Daisy’s deception is rooted in her shame. As a woman of the 1920s, a divorce or an affair would be quite shameful.

However differing from Gatsby it can be said of Daisy that she lied based on her own confusion as well as shame, her marriage was quite messy and as a result, she was led astray and through her affair, her mind became more clouded. She did not only lie out of shame but also because she was so unsure of herself that she was unaware of the things that she really wanted.

The Great Gatsby is a story of the 1920s, Fitzgerald wrote his characters to depict typical people at that point in time, using his characters’ deceptive natures as a literary tool. The wealthy Jay Gatsby appears to be so close to grasping everything he has always wanted but, his means of getting there is a secret he must continue to lie about forever. The true Jay Gatsby can be viewed when you delve into the root of his compulsive storytelling and lying.

He is simply ashamed of his past and to be who he wants to be that past must remain a secret. Daisy however is shamed by what she has done recently, which is committing adultery. Daisy lying is much more complex as a young woman she seems quite lost and her lying is not as deliberate as Gatsby’s. Daisy’s deception allows the reader to see the confused woman behind the enticing siren voice.

The way in which Fitzgerald writes these characters causes many things to be revealed by their actions, their dishonesty, in this case, allows the reader to explore the weaknesses of the characters.

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Most of these citations credit page 64 when my digital photo copy of the book have these quotes on page 70 and 71

This post is so good to read. Excellent!!

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The Great Gatsby Deception Analysis (Free Essay Example)

Bruce Alper

Jay Gatsby himself is the epitome of deception. His entire persona is built on falsehoods, starting with his name, James Gatz, which he abandoned to adopt the more glamorous moniker of Jay Gatsby. Gatsby deceives those around him by fabricating his past, and he goes to great lengths to portray himself as a wealthy, educated aristocrat. This transformation is done with the hope of winning back Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life. Gatsby’s grandiose mansion, extravagant parties, and cultivated mystique are all part of his elaborate act to project an image of success and sophistication. However, this facade crumbles as the truth of his humble origins and illicit activities comes to light, illustrating the fragility and futility of his deception. Daisy Buchanan is another character whose life is steeped in deception. On the surface, she appears to be the quintessential image of grace and sophistication, but beneath this veneer lies a deep-seated vacuity and moral cowardice. Daisy deceives herself and others into believing that she is happy in her marriage to Tom Buchanan while harboring lingering feelings for Gatsby. Her duplicity is further highlighted in her reluctance to leave Tom, despite his numerous infidelities, because doing so would threaten her social standing and material comforts. Daisy’s ultimate betrayal of Gatsby, culminating in her retreat into the safety of her wealth and privilege, underscores the pervasive disingenuousness of her character. Finally, Tom Buchanan practices deception in both overt and subtle ways. His affair with Myrtle Wilson is an obvious act of betrayal to Daisy, unabashedly conducted with a sense of entitlement and impunity. Tom’s deception is not confined to his marital infidelity; it also extends to his public persona. He projects an image of confidence and authority, yet he is insecure and threatened by Gatsby’s presence. Tom’s manipulative nature is most evident when he directs suspicion towards Gatsby during the confrontation in the Plaza Hotel, a move that not only saves his marriage but also exacerbates the downfall of Gatsby. Through Tom, Fitzgerald exposes the hypocritical nature of the upper class and their reliance on deception to maintain their status and power. In “The Great Gatsby,” deception functions as both a narrative catalyst and a thematic symbol. It drives the plot forward while simultaneously offering a critique of the characters’ moral failings and the broader societal values of the time. Through the multifaceted instances of deception, Fitzgerald illuminates the pervasive dishonesty that underpins the lives of his characters, ultimately painting a portrait of the American Dream as an elusive illusion. The unraveling of these deceptions reveals the characters’ true natures and underscores the tragic futility of their pursuits. In this way, “The Great Gatsby” continues to resonate as a timeless exploration of the human propensity for self-deception and the moral consequences that ensue.

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The Great Gatsby Theme of Lies and Deceit

Nick may say that he's one of the few honest people he knows, but we're not so sure about that . The Great Gatsby is built around lies, and why should this be any different? Human beings are inherently dishonest, whether they're male or female, born or made, poor or rich—and they're selfish, hypocritical, and destructive as well. And you may be able to fool your friends, but the eyes of God— or T. J. Eckleburg —are always watching.

Questions About Lies and Deceit

• At one point, Jordan claims that Nick deceived her. Is this true? Or was Jordan deceiving Nick? What kind of dishonesty is she talking about, anyway?
• Nick briefly mentions that Tom discovered Daisy's deception very close to the time that Wilson discovered that of his own wife. How do these men each deal with the discovery? Does it make them seem more similar, or highlight their differences? Check out what Nick says about it.
• Nick assures us he is "one of the few honest people" he knows. How does this affect the way we read his story? Do we trust his narration?
• Are Nick and Gatsby more similar than Nick would like to admit? Is it possible to see Nick and Gatsby as possessing the same fundamental characteristic of deception?
• In the showdown scene at the Plaza, Daisy Buchanan is ultimately honest with her husband and Gatsby despite what she might lose. Why does she choose honesty?

Chew on This

In The Great Gatsby , Nick Carraway presents himself as the voice of reason and reliability, yet ultimately he proves to be an unreliable narrator.

Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby are two sides of the same coin: each has built a successful façade to fool others, yet they can now no longer distinguish their true selves from the one they have created for the world.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Desire — Green Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: A Reflection of Desire and Deception

Green Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: a Reflection of Desire and Deception

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

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Broadway’s Sara Chase Says She Started to 'Sob Uncontrollably' Reflecting on 'Lonely, Secret' Cancer Journey

The 'Great Gatsby' star was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer and kept her health journey a secret while on Broadway

Steve Zak Photography/FilmMagic

Sara Chase is detailing the “double life” she lived while dealing with cancer.

The Broadway performer had just landed her dream role as Myrtle in the musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby when she decided to have her fallopian tubes removed. The 41-year-old underwent the preventative surgery after previously testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation , which means she was more likely to develop cancer. 

However, two weeks after starting to rehearse for the show, Chase received a call from her doctor and was told they found cancer in one of her fallopian tubes.

“Thankfully, it was caught early, but the standard of care was an immediate full hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks,” she wrote in a personal essay for TODAY . “I couldn’t believe what he was telling me.” 

“I went into rehearsal the next morning and didn’t tell anyone. Mostly because I was in denial,” she said. “If I said it out loud, it would be true. That I have cancer. That I am rehearsing a Broadway show while being treated for cancer. Or maybe I thought someone would try and take my dream away from me. Or people might treat me differently. Best to keep it to myself until absolutely necessary, I thought.” 

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Chase said she found herself living a “secret double life” while undergoing treatment. She would meet with her doctors early in the morning, get blood work done and then stash her hospital bracelets before heading to her Broadway rehearsals.

“Two weeks after my diagnosis, I secretly got a full hysterectomy, oophorectomy and cervix removal,” she wrote. “Four days after that, I was on stage singing and dancing in full costumes and wigs like nothing had happened. (For the record, I do not recommend this.) I hid my scars with compression garments underneath my costumes, and I hid my pain too.”

The actress recalled experiencing a lot of the side effects of her treatment alone while at work, having to pretend as if everything was okay.

“As people were telling their friends and family about this new Broadway show they were in, I was telling friends and family about what to expect in the next coming months. My colleagues met with stylists; I met with oncologists,” she said.

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By the time opening night came for The Great Gatsby , Chase said she stood in her dressing room and “started to sob uncontrollably.” With the grueling treatment and rehearsal schedule, she hadn’t been able to sit and fully acknowledge what she’d been through.

“I’ve heard the journey of cancer described as incredibly lonely, and I’ve found that to be true,” she admitted. “No matter how many people I have in my corner (and I have so many wonderful people), no matter how many people applaud for me or greet me at the stage door, no matter how many incredible cast members and crew surround me, this was ultimately something I had to do by myself.”

She continued, “And as I stood by myself on stage, just a spotlight on me and my secret hiding in plain sight, whatever I was feeling earlier melted away and was replaced with pride.”

The following week, Chase said she told her cast the truth about her health. She ultimately took a leave of absence and relied on understudies in order to finish treatment.

Chase wrote that she’s “comforted by the fact that soon I’ll be back on stage.” 

“And this time, I know I’ll be even stronger,” she said.

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