American values?

[Bebbin]

What would you consider to be [key] American values that Fitzgerald incorporated in The Great Gatsby?

So far I was able to find corruption, perseverance and individuality, but I feel that they're too vague and lacking. Thoughts? http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/lynx/yelsick.gif

[rabid reader]

What would you consider to be [key] American values that Fitzgerald incorporated in The Great Gatsby?

So far I was able to find corruption, perseverance and individuality, but I feel that they're too vague and lacking. Thoughts? http://smilies.vidahost.com/contrib/lynx/yelsick.gif

Really in this novella you find two major American values, including the "self-made man" or American Dream as it is known. Interestingly enough though the dream isn't as effective as it was "told" to because of the second major American value depicted in the story, that of classism. Dispite Gatsby's immence wealth he still cannot join the "Old Money" of Tom and Daisy and dispite his work to win back Daisy through his wealth, this Class system still destoried his efforts.

The is one iffy value that is devulged at the end of the novella that seems more offensive then anything, and that is the "get what you want and get out" after all the parties and booze and letting people crash at his house, Gatsby had two people and Preist at his funeral. All the lives he effected were that of selfishness and he really made no friends.