Throughout the novel, moral decadence is displayed by many members of the wealthy, ruthless upper-class society. For example, blatant adultery takes place throughout the novel. Tom Buchannan and Myrtle Wilson, both of whom have marriages with other people, arrange a meeting together in New York (Fitzgerald 30-31). Both Tom and Myrtle treat their spouses as their inferiors, and neither really respects his or her marriage at all. According to Kate Maurer, Tom openly participates in the affair with Myrtle.

In another example of exploitation, ruthless ambition and love of wealth cause Myrtle to associate with Tom Buchannan. After meeting with Tom, Myrtle waits for a particularly attractive taxi, and then instructs Tom to buy her a dog (Fitzgerald 31). Myrtle's actions depict her deep materialism. Her concern for finding the most beautiful taxi exceeds her concern for simply finding transportation. When Myrtle then tells Tom to buy her a dog, it shows how she expects the rich and powerful Tom Buchannan to provide her with whatever she wants. After she moves into her new apartment, Myrtle describes all of the items that she wants to buy (Fitzgerald 40-41). Knowing that she personally has no money, Myrtle once again speaks under the assumption that Tom is going to buy her whatever she needs. Along with this, she boldly flaunts her wealth and material items solely to earn approval and admiration from her guests. This represents another instance where one uses another person's resources to acquire material needs. In the quest for money or power, people frequently attempt to manipulate others to reach their own goals. This very act shows a desire of material wealth that far outweighs any sense of respect or obligation for one's fellow man.

The party guests overwhelm the funeral by virtue of their absence; they crowd the cemetery with conspicuous neglect. In a manifestation of severed social relations, they refuse Gatsby's last act of hospitality and thereby transform their categorical position from one of presence to one of absence (Treddel 149).

His wife Daisy has come to accept it, however (78). Tom clearly does not respect or acknowledge his marriage to Daisy. Later in the novel, Daisy Buchannan admits to Tom that she no longer loves him, and that she now loves Gatsby. Daisy shows a great lack of moral character when she quickly involves herself in an affair with Gatsby. Gatsby's willingness to go after another man's wife shows a disregard for the marriage on his part. Marriage stands as one of the oldest, most widely-recognized institutions of society, symbolizing a life-

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Approximate Word count = 1417
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)