The forms of corruption in The Great Gatsby

The forms of corruption in The Great Gatsby

 Opening Question:
What different forms of corruption exist? What can corruption change in a person?


Core Questions:

How does Gatsby view his party-goers? What does he think about his parties?
The line "...standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to the other with approving eyes" on page 50 gives the impression that Gatsby is looking for something. Not so much that Gatsby is looking over his party, but looking for something, or someone. The later line "...but no one swooned backwards on Gatsby, and no French bob touched Gatsby's shoulder, and no singing quartets were formed with Gatsby's head for one link" gives the impression that Gatsby does not care very much to be social with those at his parties. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Gatsby does not really find his parties or most of his guests as important. He's has a clear goal in his mind, and he's willing to throw these lavish parties to get to it. This is also a form of corruption, where a single idea fills a person's head so much, they are willing to do many things to achieve and reach their goal.

Why does Gatsby love Daisy?
Nick makes an interesting comment on page 95; he writes that, "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams-not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion." He later goes on to say that Gatsby "Added to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way". These lines bring about a realization, in which it becomes apparent that Gatsby loves Daisy for the wrong reason; He has a definite idea of Daisy in his head that is different from that of the actual one. Gatsby has held on to his idea of his Daisy, that he is a little surprised to find that the real one is somewhat different. He has a corrupted idea of Daisy, where she is how she was the many years ago when they had met. While it still may be "love", it is baseless, because his Daisy, the one who he thinks of, is different that the actual one.

Closing Question:
Can someone like Gatsby ever rid themselves of their corruption? Or will we have to carry that throughout our lives?