"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, an exemplary example of how the thirst for power and money taints something as simple as a dream. The whole novel is an exploration of a simple man and his simple dream that soon twists itself into something much more complex and even more sinister.
             The novel takes place in the 1920's. It was a time of decline for regular human ethics and corruption of moral values in the United States and many other countries across the world. World War I had just ended and people were reveling in the riches and materialism that came with the end of it. New mass companies produced commodities such as motorcars and radios, both which were filling people's driveways and houses, money was much more accessible (Before the Great Depression). Cars were becoming a social symbol as we can see with Gatsby's five cars, one of which he gives to Nick and another that kills Myrtle Wilson later in the novel. Herbert Hoover (an American President) once said, "We will root out poverty and put two cars in every garage." (Press Speech, 1925)
             Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of the novel, is a poor young man in the army. While in the army, he meets a shallow wealthy "golden girl". They start to see each other, one night while they were together. He realizes that he can spend the rest of his life with Daisy, and he falls in love. Jay Gatsby asks her to marry him. But unfortunately, she declines. Jay does not have the money or the reputation to marry her. He then moves away in search for wealth so he can finally marry Daisy. As time passes, Daisy not only becomes his dream, but also his obsession.
             While away, Gatsby meets a man by the name of Dan Cody. Dan Cody owns a successful coal mining business. Although he is wealthy, Dan is nothing more then a drunk. Dan and Gatsby become good friends and he teaches him about business and how the rich go about acting. Dan Cody, a corrupted senile drunk becomes an instrument in shaping...