Criticizing Society in Great Gatsby and Huckleberry Finn

Authors use the portrayal of characters who are somehow trapped or imprisoned as a means to criticize society. Referring closely to two works in your study, show to what extent and in what ways this statement is true.

        “The Great Gatsby” by GATSBY takes place in 1920’s New York where morals can quite easily be questioned as society tainted the American dream and life goals shifted from making something of yourself, to making more money than those around you. Also, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” takes place during a highly racist time period in America where African American’s were seen as less of a human than others and lacked the freedom they deserved. In both of these novels one of the main characters is frequently seen as trapped and in doing this the author is criticizing the lack of ethics the society is displaying. With Gatsby trapped by his love for Daisy one can see the terribly materialistic truth behind motives in this time period, and with Jim literally imprisoned we see this society to the full extent was meant to be criticized.

        Gatsby, who is head over heels in love with Daisy, was originally drawn to her because of her status in society. Gatsby knew that to even be an option he must become wealthy and be able to attract Daisy just as she attracted him. Once Daisy married Tom, Gatsby never stopped trying to win her over by buying a house across from hers and throwing extravagant parties every weekend hoping Daisy would come to them. Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story described them stating  “On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains.” (3.1) Gatsby was using his wealth as a way to get her attention and fill the emptiness Daisy had caused. The author uses Gatsby being trapped behind his love for Daisy to illustrate that too much value is placed on materialistic items. Gatsby is also trapped towards the end of the book when he decided not to leave town because he is waiting for Daisy to respond. He states, “QUOTE #1”  Gatsby deciding to stay and spend the day at the pool inevitably leads to his murder. Rather than putting the blame for Mertyl’s death on Daisy or leaving town as Nick had suggested, Gatsby stays in town waiting for his love. Daisy, who may or may not love Gatsby, never leaves her husband as his wealth is comforting and leaving him would compromise that. Daisy also never contact Nick after Gatsby’s death as though he had meant nothing to him. Though it may not be as evident in The Great Gatsby as in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Fitzgerald (to an extent) was criticizing the morals of this time period and of the wealthy.